TN: Man accidentally shoots wife, kills unborn child

[seamusTX]

In Kingston, Tennessee, Friday, a man reportedly accidentally shot his pregnant wife in their home, causing the death of their unborn daughter.

The husband and wife maintained that the shooting was accidental. He had gone dove hunting the day before, and was preparing to clean the shotgun when it discharged.

The case may be referred to a grand jury.

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/sep/0 ... ies-after/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

1. All guns are loaded.

- Jim

[casingpoint]

That's as bad as it gets for accidental shootings.

[android]

I know a lot of people recommend a shotgun for home defense, but they do seem to go off by themselves more frequently than other types of firearms. At least hunters seem to swear it can happen.

Is there something about how they are made that makes this more possible?

Are there any models of shotguns that have internal safeties like modern pistols that lock out the firing pin unless the trigger is at the back of the stroke?

[seamusTX]

Shotguns have been manufactured with disconnectors, probably since before I was born. However, there are many old shotguns still in use that lack the internal safety.

Also, some skeet and trap shooters cut the safety on their over-unders. This is OK for trap and skeet, because you load only a moment before you shoot. It would be very dangerous for hunting.

There's no knowing whether this was an old, modified, or defective weapon. Probably the cops will investigate, but the results won't be news.

- Jim